Friday, June 27, 2014

What's a little 5 lb weight?

Almost four months ago, I decided to start doing some serious exercise. I had a few DVDs by Leslie Sansone from her Walk At Home program, but never really enjoyed them. Then I got one that one of my Facebook friends suggested: Walk It Off In 30 Days.

This one was different. Instead of just Leslie (or two or three other people) walking, this one had a crowd. They all seemed so happy while walking, and side-stepping and lifting knees (even doubles), and (my favorite) skaters. I actually enjoyed it.

The next day, I tried the weight training work out. OMG -- I absolutely LOATHED it. Squats, squats and more squats. Leslie said, "Squats: they really take care of that lower body." She wasn't kidding.

Walk it off three days a week--weight training three days a week. Leslie was generous, giving me Sunday's off. Some weeks I took Sundays off ... some weeks I didn't.

In the midst of all this exercising, I was also trying to lose weight, but I didn't diet. Nope, I am DONE with dieting. I've been on every one and you do lose weight ... SHORT TERM ... and then you gain not only the weight you lost back, but then 10-20 pounds more.

Instead, I decided I needed to really, REALLY eat healthier. I did a lot of research on diets. (The BBC has a lot of really fascinating documentaries on weight control that I watched on Youtube. Also, I read a couple of books and lots of stuff online.) I also starting seriously thinking about portion control.

After three months of squats (going from 2 lb weights to 5 lb weights), I'd lost 5 inches off my butt and regained my waist. And though I only lost 7 pounds, suddenly my clothes weren't so tight. Things I hadn't been able to wear in years (not so) suddenly fit again.

Three weeks later, I've lost another 3.5 lbs, but I've also lost another inch off my butt.

I'm not quitting those squats. I've never sweat so much in my life, but when I look in the mirror, I no longer cringe. And all this exercise takes only 30 minutes a day.